Corona Devotionals

We were blessed to have the unique opportunity to see Big Boy the other day. Not Big Boy, the cheeseburger. Not big boy, as in a 10-pound baby boy. We witnessed Big Boy No. 4014 in locomotive action! Have you heard of Big Boy No. 4014? The truth is, I had not heard of Big Boy No. 4014. However, I've spoken with many others who were well aware that he was coming through town. His anticipated arrival was broadcast on the news via TV, newspaper, online, radio, and (thankfully for us!), by people too! Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence today, No. 4014 is the only one still in operation.  Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. These massive locomotives were built to haul heavy equipment in support of the war effort, normally operating between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Big Boys are 133 feet long and weigh 1.2 ...

In our living room, we have a gray, super-soft, large blanket that technically belongs to our middle child (and he doesn't forget that intended-priority ownership), but that blanket is everyone’s favorite. Our daughter grabs it on TV nights, and our son wraps-up in it for morning cocoa and wake-up video-shorts.   My mother-in-law has been known to use it to cover up during movie-nights at our house, and my husband likes it because it covers his long legs.    After a long Saturday of group-work on a school project,  I have even seen a guest at our home pull it out (from behind the couch where it is stored), wrap up in it, and take a nap! Currently we have family visiting from out of state, and can you guess the preferred blanket for my nephew’s inflatable bed when he lays down his 10-year old body?   Yep--it's the (so) soft gray one! It is a wonderful, often-washed, soft, comforting, big blanket, and many people have been known to enjoy the comfort of it...

We work so hard.  Daily.  Monthly.  Yearly.  ...A lifetime  of hard work is behind most of our names, and the efforts are tattooed in our DNA.  We work  so  hard.  And we should.  The Bible (God) tells us that " Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  ( 24)  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving ( Colossians 3:23-24) ".   We put in the work, and we should. But (sit down and grab a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade), and let the Bible (God's Word!) remind us of what God  also says: Good job .     “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.  ( 20)  The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’...

Don't mind the mess today...and-- what's at the heart of it? The other day, it was just after 7 A.M., and I popped my head out our backdoor, which leads into our garage, and said good-bye to one of my people leaving for the day.  Two had already left for school, another was getting ready, and my husband was leaving to begin his morning walk.  I waved to encourage him, and as he disappeared from the driveway I lingered for a moment in the quiet, just staring. When I refocused my eyes and myself, I saw an inflatable cactus resting in the mess of our garage, and it made me realize: there will be messiness in the ministry of life, and that's just fine. ~~~ What is our ministry today?  Where, how, and to whom are we living-out faith?  Who are we sharing God's Word and Law with?   The inflatable cactus propped up in the (organized) chaos of our garage seemed to smile back at me and say, "It's okay when things aren't perfect."   And Friends, it is ...